For Us Not So Competitive Applicants

[gilly1980]

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MCAT---61000 people wrote the MCAT in 2004 in the US and Canada and the Average was a 24=60%ile. That means that if you got a 24, you will have a better score than 36600 people. That means you are competing with approximately 24000 people. There are currently approximately 15000 spots available in the US and Canada combined so you have a chance of getting in 15000/24000= 62% chance...good odds

This is based on the MCAT alone and I realise that some people apply from other years but also some people who wrote it this year are not applying, so it works out...good luck

 

[exmike]

you need to stop thinking so much.

 

[Shades McCool]

Wow, I didn't realize so many people scored below 24.

 

[drguy22]

MCAT---61000 people wrote the MCAT in 2004 in the US and Canada and the Average was a 24=60%ile. That means that if you got a 24, you will have a better score than 36600 people. That means you are competing with approximately 24000 people. There are currently approximately 15000 spots available in the US and Canada combined so you have a chance of getting in 15000/24000= 62% chance...good odds

This is based on the MCAT alone and I realise that some people apply from other years but also some people who wrote it this year are not applying, so it works out...good luck

i thought 24 was the avg...thus 50th percentile????

 

[jeffsleepy]

Even if your numbers are correct, which I'm not sure about, you still wouldn't have a 62% chance with a 24 because the two aren't independent of one another. Schools don't just group together everyone with a 24 and draw names out of a hat. If you have a higher MCAT, you have a higher chance and if you have a lower MCAT you have a lower chance.

 

[Crake]

Plus, its likely that of those 15000 spots available, some are going to be offered to the same applicants. I mean, outstanding applicants, of which there are many, can probably bank on at least 3 acceptances. I seriously doubt that many people with a 24 are getting in anywhere, let alone having a 62% (better than 50-50 shot) at getting an acceptance.

 

[DOitright]

regardless of the numbers....I'm going to start an official MCAT HATERS club!

😉

 

[gobblety_gook]

Plus, its likely that of those 15000 spots available, some are going to be offered to the same applicants. I mean, outstanding applicants, of which there are many, can probably bank on at least 3 acceptances. I seriously doubt that many people with a 24 are getting in anywhere, let alone having a 62% (better than 50-50 shot) at getting an acceptance.

I don't think its the fact that some people get multiple acceptences that reduces the 15,000 number...I mean there are always 15,000 SEATS that need to be filled by 15,000 different people...

BUT something you do have to take into account is the fact that a LOT of people apply after taking 1 year, 2 year...10 years off...so even though 61000 people took the MCAT in 2004 (some of these 61000 naturally won't apply) but people who took the test in 2003, 2002, 2001 will apply. Thats why even though the avg for MCAT adminstrations is 24, the avg of the MCAT of people who apply is slightly higher (self selection) and why the avg MCAT of the matriculated population is also higher (there are more people who apply with better scores not represented in the 2004 MCAT test takers).